BBC News By Kate Scotter image captionThe Barnes family in Ipswich rely on their au pair Pauline (far right) For more than 50 years, young Europeans have been crossing the sea to Britain to become au pairs. But with the UK's imminent departure from the European Union and impending changes to immigration laws, there are fears the system is under threat. Au pairing originated in Europe with an agreement between European nations signed in 1969 regulating placements. The reciprocal arrangement allowed au pairs to work short stays of between three and 12 months, often attending a language school, with their board and lodgings covered by the host family.